In Search of Satisfaction [Paperback]

J. California Cooper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1995

The folk flavor of her storytelling has earned her  constant comparison to Langston Hughes and Zora  Neale Hurston, but through four collections of  short stories and two novels, J. California Cooper  has proven that hers is a wholly original talent  --one that embraces readers in an ever-widening  circle from one book to the next. With In  Search Of Satisfaction, Cooper  gracefully portrays men and women, some good and others  wickedly twisted, caught in their individual  thickets of want and need. On a once-grand plantation  in Yoville, "a legal town-ship founded by the  very rich for their own personal use," a  freed slave named Josephus fathers two daughters,  Ruth and Yinyang, by two different women. His  desire, to give Yinyang and himself money and  opportunities, oozes through the family like an elixir,  melding with the equally strong yearnings of  Yoville's other residents, whose tastes don't  complement their neighbors'. What Josephus buries in his  life affects generations to come. J. California  Cooper's unfettered view of sin, forgiveness, and  redemption gives In Search Of  Satisfaction a singular richness that belies its  universal themes.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cooper details a family saga in which two half-sisters attempt to come to grips with their father's legacy.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Cooper's newest work may provoke strong emotions but not much sympathy for the often misguided townspeople of Yoville, where Josephus, a freed slave, schemes to gain money and seek opportunities for himself and his daughter, Yinyang. Readers may be disgusted by the unbelievable display of greed, best exemplified by Carlene-the queen of avarice-or bored by the sometimes irritatingly didactic tone. On the other hand, they will relish Cooper's credible rendition of Southern speech patterns, for which she has been heartily praised. Although readers "in search of satisfaction" may not find it here, they should still scrutinize this award-winning author's earlier works, including, most recently, The Matter Is Life (LJ 6/1/91) and Family (LJ 12/90).
Faye A. Chadwell, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Anchor; 1st Anchor Books Ed edition (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385467869
• ISBN-13: 978-0385467865
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #596,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J. California Cooper was honored as Black Playwright of the Year, and has received the American Book Award, the James Baldwin Writing Award, and the Literary Lion Award from the American Library Association. She lives in California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LIFE CHANGING READING! Where is Oprah when you need her?, May 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: In Search of Satisfaction (Paperback)

I am in my mid twenties, a voracious reader, a writer of fiction, and a poet. I'm a television reporter by profession. For the last fourteen years, my favorite book has been Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye", but now that's number two behind "In Search of Satisfaction". While I did find the "Satan" references preachy, I also found them necessary to the fabric of the story. This masterpiece was woven intricately. Did anyone notice character names: "Mr. Creed", for example. It was all wonderful. Of course the moral was slapped in our faces. It was supposed to be. I see Yinyang in me, I see Hosanna in me. I see struggle and pride...I have given a copy of this book to all my friends, male and female...after they read it, we talk in amazement.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest of All Times, November 29, 2002

By 

Lace "SexyLacyBaby" (BROOKLYN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Search of Satisfaction (Paperback)

This book was one of the best books i've ever read! Ms. Cooper is brilliant in her character development, the plots, her underlying messages regarding the spirit of greed! I was captivated with each line. It started out at a great pace and only got better. It was a page-turner. I've since read this book 5 times and recommend it to everyone. My only regret is not having a signed copy. I absolutely love J. California Cooper and have read EVERY SINGLE novel she's written...family...wake of the wind...

If you haven't read this book yet...it is a must read! And not from the library--you'll want this in your permanent collection.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding piece of literature-spiritually uplifting, May 31, 2001

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Search of Satisfaction (Paperback)

I read "In Search of Satifaction" is a truly uplifting book. I first read this book about 2 years ago - my younger sister (14 years younger - then a high schooler) recommended it. To this day, I believe it is the best book I have ever read. this is a tall order to fill because I am an avid reader. My first reaction was to read this book, every three months, just to keep my spirits uplifted. Now, I try to read this book at least twice a year. It helps me in realizing that everyone, which includes me, is in search of satisfaction and aids me in this search. I have recommended this book to everyone I know. As a matter of fact,because of this book, whenever I am in search of satisfying my reading apetite - I purchase a book by J. California Cooper. Excellent piece of reading material.